Bhutan is one of the most preserved, small yet highly valued countries to travel to. The enigmatic mountains, the colourful festival and the peaceful clean cities create a lot of curiosity for foreign tourists.
As the country has strategically implemented a high-value low impact tourism policy, it has become a country be sought after in many travellers’ bucket lists. Bhutan’s tourism industry is almost worth 4.83USD million dollars each month contributing greatly to the employment and revenues of the country.
This is a complete Bhutan travel guide if you are planning your trip to this country of mountains and Buddhism.
What are the requirements for Bhutan Travel?
Because of Bhutan’s tourism policies citizens of countries other than India, Bangladesh and Maldives require to pre-arrange their tour of a minimum of $250 with a Bhutanese registered travel agency and obtain their hotel bookings and the visa their after.
You can arrange your Bhutan travel only through the tour agencies that are approved tour operators by the Bhutan Tourism Council as listed on their official websites.
You will find different tour operators offering tours based on your interest in culture, nature, adventure and wellness.
Bhutan visa policy
Bhutan visas are expensive as most countries have to obtain them after choosing a tour package of a minimum of $250 through a registered tourist agency. The citizens of Maldives, Bangladesh, and India has to pay the sustainable Development Fee of around 17 dollars.
Bhutan Visa Requirements:
Here are the documents you will require while applying for a Bhutanese visa.
- You have to book your stay through a registered Bhutanese agency.
- You have to book a tour package which has nightly charges of at least $250.
- Validity of your existing passport for the next six months.
- You have to submit the document for proof of your occupation.
- Provide contact information and address.
Application process: Through a registered travel operator
Cost: $40 just for the visa for each person and $250 per night for the tour
Time Validity: Single-entry with six months validity
Extension: Through your tour operator
SDF: Sustainable Development Fee is abducted from regional
Bhutan Tour Booking Guide
One of the few things you should remember while booking the tour package through your agency is to read the company policies and the refund policies if your visa gets cancelled. As per the tourism council of Bhutan, here are the necessary steps for tour booking in the Bhutan travel guide.
Step 1: Select the TCB registered tour operator you want to choose from the official website.
Step 2: Plan an itinerary or a tour package with your tour operator.
Step 3: Pay the amount for the tour package in advance along with the $40 for the one-time visa, through the international partners of Bhutan National Bank.
Step-4: The tour operator will complete your visa application and most of the time the visa is issued mostly within 1 week.
Step-5: Receiving the visa once approved through the mail.
Here is the list of Registered Tour Operators
Types of Accommodation in Bhutan
When you are choosing your tour package with your choice of tour agency you will have to choose your accommodation or stay. If you arrive through the Paro International airport and create an itinerary where you decide to stay at a hotel in Paro, here are some options for choosing accommodation.
Accommodation for visitors is of a few categories’ hotels, farm-stays, homestays, resorts, and guesthouses.
Hotels:
All the registered tour operators provide foreign tourists with at least 3-star hotels. Here is a list of top-rated hotels in the Bhutan travel guide. Bhutan’s government has a preset system to rate hotels based on their service, hospitality and the set guidelines by the government.
Here is a list of the top-rated hotels you can consider to stay:
Zhiwa Ling Hotel ( Location: Paro )
Le-Meridian Paro ( Location: Paro)
Gangtey Palace ( Location: Paro)
Terma Linka resort & spa ( Location: Thimpu)
If you are from visa-free countries travelling to Bhutan you can choose some of the budget options as most of them are two or three stars. Foreigners from countries other than India, Bangladesh and Maldives may not be able to choose the budget hotels because of the set amount by TCB in Bhutan travel guide. Here is a list of the best-rated budget hotels:
Khamsum Inn ( Location: Thimpu)
Zambala Riverview Hotel ( Location: Paro)
Centennial Hotel ( Location: Pheuntsholing )
Hotel Shantideva Bhutan ( Location: Thimpu )
Guest-houses:
Guesthouses are one of the best options if you are looking for a traditional yet cosy environment. Many top-rated guest houses are located across the country which you can discuss with your tour operator. The guest houses are similar in terms of services offered by the hotel.
Farm-stays: Many tourists enjoy experiencing farm stays in Bhutan which will give you the experience of the locals and you can include it in your itinerary. Many farm-stays, will ensure your experience of authentic meals, sighting of century-old farming traditional in the mountains.
Best time to visit Bhutan
Weather in Bhutan from October to January is best for visiting as the weather is clear and the roads are perfect for travelling. In the southern parts of Bhutan, you will experience a subtropical climate with sunshine and forests and mountains in the middle part of the country will have cold winter while the mountains in the Northern parts of the country will be covered with thick snow if you travel in the winter.
Plan your itinerary while discussing with your operator to make your visit memorable and hassle-free. If you want to truly discover every aspect of the country, points of attraction, tourist places, activities and the local culture you can plan a month-long visit to this country.
Types of tours Bhutan Travel Guide
Cultural Tour in Bhutan:
If you are planning your trip to Bhutan to understand the culture and heritage of the country you must visit the UNESCO heritage sites in Bhutan like the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro and the National Library, Royal Textile of Bhutan and the Dzongs.
As the primary religion of Bhutan is Buddhism their lifestyle, art,and customs are deeply influenced by Buddist values. Along with pristine rivers, rocky mountains you will also visit a lot of monastries, shortens and Ihakhangs in your Bhutan travel guide.
As far as Bhutanese lifestyle and traditions are concerned most Bhutanese love to live simply, worship their deities, enjoying their colourful traditional festivals, Bhutan is one of the countries in the world promoting sustainable tourism and living. The main sources of economy in the country is agriculture, hydropower and forestry.
Most cultural tour packages in Bhutan are planned highlighting Here is an exemplary 5 day itinerary for Bhutan you can work with for the cultural tour of Bhutan
Day 1: Arrival and move to Thimpu
Arrive in Paro and move to the capital Thimpu. In Thimpu, you will visit the Zulekha Nunnery, National Emporium, Thimpu Dzong, the Motithang Takin Preserve.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimpu
Visit the most appreciated tourist places in Thimpu like the Memorial Chorten, National Library, Handicrafts emporium, Institute of traditional medicine.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula la
In the drive, through the Dochul La, you will get a scenic view of the Himalayas and visit Wangduephodrung, Mehsina village, Chime Lakhang or Temple of fertility. After reaching Punakha visit the stunning Punakha Dzong in the mountains.
Day 4: Punakha to Paro
Visit the beautiful Paro city and its streets to be aware of the local culture.
Day 5: Paro sightseeing
Visit its most popular heritage and historical sites like Tanpung dzong which is the residency of the Desi Tenzin Ragbye, Rinpun dzong and Nya-Mey Zam bridge.
Day 6: Departure
Adventure tour in Bhutan:
Activities to do in Bhutan: If you want to enjoy the mountains, rivers at their best and the sheer thrill of adventure sports Bhutan has a lot to offer. Here is the ultimate list of adventure sports to try in Bhutan.
Rock Climbing in the Nose in Thimpu: The climbing route of ” The Nose ” ranges from 12 meters to 27 meters where rock climbing is conducted by Vertical Bhutan Club. It has 13 routes of climbing which you can choose from.
Whitewater rafting in Mo Chuu and Pho Chuu: This is one of the most fun adventure sport anyone can try. If you are a beginner at kayaking and rating in Mochu is advised as the water is calmer with fewer currents. The rafting starts at the bridge that leads to Khansum valley in Punakha and the rafting course stretches about 5.6 miles.
Kayaking in the Wang Chuu and Puna Tsang Chuu: Wang Chuu and Puna Tsang Chuu are two of the rivers in Thimpu that you can enjoy rafting on according to Bhutan Travel Guide. Wang Chuu is one of the tributaries of the Bramhaputra river. Rafting on Wang Chuu also gives you the chance to get the sight of Samteling palace and SAARC buildings.
Trekking and hot springs in Paro: Trekking to the Tiger’s Nest monastery is one of the enthralling activities you must try. There are also other one-day hiking routes such as Bumudra Hike, Chumpu Ney Hike in Paro that you can also attempt.
Paragliding in Kamshet near Ura valley: If you really want to feel the pumps of your heart and try adrenaline-induced paragliding near Kamshet where you will get a glance of the Sahyadri ranges of Himalaya.
Mountain biking: You can try mountain biking near Punakha, where the classic biking route famous among tourists are Khuruthang-Samdiingkha and Punakha etc.
Crossing suspension bridges in Punakha: One of the oldest and historically valued suspension bridges in the world, the Punakha suspension bridge surely should be one on your list. This 160-meter bridge will give you extreme thrill as you cross the bridge and you will see many Buddhist prayer flags.
You may not be able to include all of the above-listed activities in your itinerary but water rafting, rock climbing, crossing suspension bridges are unavoidable if you are a seeker for an adventure. Here are three adventure activities anyone can try if you are not anything scary.
Fishing in Thimpu, Punakha, Bumthang
Archery in villages near Paro
Wildlife Safari at the Royal Manas National Park
Nature Tour and Off-beat places:
As stunning as the country with the bliss of mountains Bhutan has a lot of offbeat and popular places where you can rest your wearing heart. If you are focusing on healing and absorbing the energy of nature while visiting Bhutan here is your Bhutan travel guide tips.
1. Plan your trip including the best places for nature and wildlife.
2. Include hikes with the tour operators to the rugged mountains and trekking in the valleys.
3. Try to get a glimpse of offbeat places like Haa, Phobjika valley, Jangtsa Dhumtseg Lhakhang, the 4. 4. Paro Taktsang to imbibe the memories deep in your heart.
5. Visit the National Handloom Project run by the Bhutanese National Women’s Association.
The ‘Peaceful country of Dragons” is surely one of the high-value countries that you can travel to. The picturesque trails, traditional architecture, green environment-friendly lifestyle will surely enthrall you. If you are from South Asia, then Here is a complete Bhutan Travel Guide for South Asians.
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